HIM by Clare Empson Blog Tour

Two genres of book that you wouldn't necessarily put together are thrillers and romances but that is just what Clare Empson has managed to do seamlessly with her debut novel HIM. Which is why I am beyond thrilled to be part of the blog tour to share more about this stunning story with you all.

Catherine has witnessed something so traumatic that she can't speak. Or won't speak. The doctors say the only way forward is to look into her past.

Catherine needs to start with 'HIM'.

Fifteen years ago, she met Lucian at university and fell into a passionate love affair. They were meant to be together forever. But something happened. Something that destroyed them.

Catherine then married someone else and had two children. She moved on - or so she thought. Now Lucian is back, showing her how different her life could have been.

But going back to the beginning won't change the ending. In fact, it might be the thing that finally breaks her ...

Now before I give any more detail about this book, I will say one thing, this has been my favourite read of the year so far! I hope that makes you want to find out more about this deliciously, gripping tale.

The story begins in present time, a woman is being looked after by a kind, caring nurse and her family is about to visit her.. Catherine, this woman, who is the main protagonist, has what is known as elective mutism. What we don't yet know is exactly what psychological trauma has caused her to react in this way.

Big Little Lies Meets 13 Reasons Why in this dark and suspenseful debut from a stunning new talent.

Catherine is about to tell us a story, a heartbreakingly, poignant tale about HIM.

Now, I said Catherine was the main protagonist and that's because there is a second voice that has to be heard and that is the one of Lucian, someone who Catherine loved and in a way lost earlier on in her life and he is essentially the character that brings this story full circle.

Clare separates the novel into differing time scales: now, fifteen years earlier and four months before. As you continue to read, it becomes apparent as to why this was an absolutely necessary way to write this story.

I guess you could view Catherine and Lucian's story as a modern day Romeo and Juliet.

"You're stuck there, aren't you? Right at the end. And I wonder if it might help to go back to the beginning, to put everything in some kind of order?"

I'll admit, this is a book that took me quite some time to read. The differing time periods meant it took some concentration to keep up with what was happening and when but there was not one single moment where I felt that I wanted to put the book down.

Suspense was built slowly and every detail was well formed and gave added depth to the story, Clare wasn't giving anything away easily, this was a tale to really make you think and feel everything!

A tale of guilt, of obsession, of desire and ultimately of love. There is a rollercoaster of emotions packed into the pages and at times it is quite dark but underneath that the drama, the suspense and the lies is an abundance of passion and over-whelming sorrow.

By the end I was crying and I felt like I was in shock. Throughout the book I thought I'd managed to work certain details out but I was never quite right and the ending is ultimately tragic.and incredibly sad.

HIM is not your typical love story, go in with your eyes and mind wide open and you will not be disappointed!

For more reviews, thoughts and details follow the rest of the blog tour.